Julia Rudolph

Edwards

English 2

16 March, 2017

Julius Caesar Rhetorical Analysis

William Shakespeare's, Julius Caesar is filled with dramatic text. Marc Antonys,

and Brutuss speeches are distinctly filled with Pathos, Ethos, and Logos driven

statements. Both speeches use many forms of persuasive techniques to attract the

plebeians to their sides effectively. Antony, however, is able to influence the crowd

significantly more, because of his use of persuasive techniques. While both Brutus and

Antonys speeches use Pathos, Ethos, Logos persuasive techniques, they differ by the

amount they use of each. Brutus comes off more logically to the crowd. While Antony

triggers an emotional response by using more pathos and ethos forms of persuasion.

Antony was more effective because he persuaded the mob by using a majority of

pathos and ethos persuasive techniques, along with logos. Antony was able to get the

mob on his side by being dramatic and showing his emotions. He tells the crowd My

heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and I must pause till it come back to me(

3.2.116-117). This appeals to the mobs emotional side and makes him more likeable.

Along with Antony speaking with pathos, he uses Caesar's body to prove his point even

more. Before revealing Caesar's dead body to the plebeians he tells them O, now you

weep, and I perceive you feel the dint of pity (3.2.205-206). He talks to the crowd about

how they are feeling and shows them Caesars body to elicit a bigger response. This
was an example of elevated language because he is using formal words. Antony's

speech also had a large amount of ethos in it. Antony uses ethos when he tells the

plebeians multiple times that Brutus says he (Caesar) was ambitious, and Brutus is an

honorable man(3.2.95-96). Antony is discrediting Brutus when he says this because he

mentions things Caesar has done that dont fit with the theme of being ambitious. Such

as refusing the crown three times. Antony includes logos when he tells the crowd

Caesar is marred as you see with traitors(3.2.209). He tells them that Caesars body

was spoiled by the traitors. The traitors being the conspirators. Then after the crowd

responds he tells them they are wise and honorable (3.2.226). Once again meaning

the conspirators. This is an example of logos because he called the conspirators traitors

and later calls them honorable. This is loaded language because he does not really

mean they are honorable. By pointing out that the conspirators have marred Caesar,

the mob knows that when Antony calls them honorable he is being sarcastic. Antony's

use of ethos, pathos, and logos in the end make his speech more effective.

Brutus speech is filled with a large portion of logos techniques. He uses

rhetorical questions and repetition to get his point across. Brutus asks the mob had you

rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves?(3.2.24-25). This rhetorical question

was used so he could show the logic behind killing Caesar. However, while Brutus uses

plenty of logos, he uses very little ethos and pathos. He does not show a lot of emotion,

which would be catering to pathos. Brutus also does not include much about ethos, or

proving his credibility. Brutus speech is significantly shorter than Antonys. A very large

portion of his speech is solely based on bringing logic into his actions, with the use of
repetition and rhetorical questions. He focuses more on logos which is why his speech

is less effective than Antonys.

Brutus and Antonys speeches are similar because they both are able to sway

the mobs opinions. Their speeches each are different lengths. Brutus takes less time to

persuade the crowd to support him. Antony takes a longer time, but has a more drastic

effect. At the end of Brutus speech the plebeians cheer for him to receive a statue and

even be crowned like they planned Caesar to be. At the end of Antonys speech the

mob is in much more of a riot. They plan to with the brands fire the traitors

houses(3.2.269). Antony stirs them so much they decide to take pieces of burning

wood and burn down the conspirators houses. Including Brutus, who they just cheered

for a few minutes ago. The mob planning to attack Brutus, and the rest of the

conspirators, shows that Antony was able to persuade them more than Brutus.

Brutus and Antony are both able to move the mob by their use of

pathos,ethos,and logos. However Antony is able to stir them more by using a larger

amount of each. By showing emotion, proving his credibility, and using loaded language

Antony is able to move the plebeians to rise against the conspirators, and fight against

them.